WALKER: Lois Loraine Yerkes, 92, passed away Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Lexington Estates, Buchanan County Health Center in Independence, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6th Street) in Vinton. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM prior to the service. Interment will be held at Urbana Memorial Cemetery followed by a luncheon at the Urbana Legion Hall.

Lois was born on October 1, 1934, in Alburnett, IA, to Henry and Hazel (Hackert) Akers. She graduated from Central City High School in 1953. On February 24, 1956, she was united in marriage to Richard Yerkes in Cedar Rapids.

Lois and Richard farmed in the Walker area prior to their retirement. Lois was a member of the Urbana Legion Auxiliary, the Pleasant Prairie Club, and a 4-H Leader for Polk Pals 4-H Club. For many years Lois organized the Urbana Car Cruise and was an active volunteer for the Urbana Lions Club. Prior to marrying Richard, she was a telephone operator in Cedar Rapids and later worked for the U.S. Census Bureau. She raised chickens, was an avid gardener, and was a talented seamstress who sewed many clothes for her children. She loved quilting and through the Auxiliary donated many lap quilts to the Marshalltown VA Clinic. Lois was known to make a great home cooked meal and her candy making was very popular in the community.

She is survived by her children, Deborah (Leon Ember) Yerkes of Columbia, SC, David (Jeanie Bickford) Yerkes of Walker, Deanna (Bill) Freeman of Cedar Rapids, and Darcy (Kevin) Duncalf of Long Grove; her grandchildren, Jessica Neuendorf of LaPorte City, Jason Freeman of Cedar Rapids, Jamie Freeman of Marion, Cole Duncalf (Molly Reveal) of Manchester, Jill Eisenzimmer of Wilmington, NC, and Jenna Duncalf of Wilmington, NC; 9 great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Donna Akers of Dubuque; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Hazel; her husband, Richard; sisters, Dora Lea Akers and Erma Akers; and her brother, Ernest Akers.

A memorial fund has been established with the Legion Auxiliary.

The family would like to thank Lexington Estates for the love and care Lois received.

Online condolences at Phillipsfuneralhomes.com.